PepperPot E-paper 07-01-2018

See inside:

‘I had many II sleepless nights’ ► Page

Make your exercise V a must ► Page

Westfield Preparatory School teacher, Aretha Hoban (Adrian Narine photo)

The secret behind the success ► Page

Aretha Hoban is helping to mould some of the country’s top NGSA performers

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By Indrawattie Natram

and she admires the commitment her daughter has towards her studies. She said her daughter would walk to get to school which is approximately 40 minutes away from their home. The mother, who rides a motorcycle, said she sometimes would drop her to school.

DESPITE several disadvantages that communities in remote regions face across the country, there remain some students who rise above those challenges to show that they, too, are capable of excelling in various areas. This is the case of 12-year- NO COMPUTER, NO INTERNET old Anasie Fredericks, a student of the The mother said her only regret was not Tapakuma Lake Primary School, Tapa- affording a computer for her child during kuma, Region Two, who managed to cop her studies. Her daughter basically read and fifth position in the region. She obtained studied on her own with little research re513 marks and gained a position at the sources. The only extra lessons Anasie took Bishop’s High School in Georgetown. was an eight-week Mathematics camp which In an interview with the Pepperpot was hosted at the CV Nunes Primary School.

Magazine, an excited Fredericks related that She said although it was expensive to let her she knew she would have done well at the travel for the lessons she didn’t regret it. examinations because she studied and was The mother said she would be sending prepared. Relating her success, she said in her daughter to the Anna Regina Multilateral the nights she usually conducts revision with Secondary school (ARMS) on the Essequibo her mother using the light from a solar panel. Her community does not have access to electricity as yet. Her father, she said, is currently in the interior working to support her in school, but she said she receives full support from her mother who spends many nights up with her.

Fredericks said that she is very excited that she was able to be recognised among the top 10 for Region Two. “I had many sleepless nights, I studied up to eleven o’ clock in the nights then I would wake up at two in the morning to conduct revision,” Fredericks further related.

Her mother Donnett Edwards was overjoyed by her daughter’s performance. “Honestly when I received the message I couldn’t believe it. I was surprised but I know my baby girl is capable,” the mother related.

Edwards said that Fredericks is the eldest child of three children Anasie and her mother Donnet Edwards

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

‘I had many sleepless nights’ Anasie Fredericks makes Tapakuma residents proud at NGSA

Twelve-year-old Anasie Fredericks

Coast instead of The Bishop’s High School in Georgetown.

“She would be able to catch the Government school bus and return. My only concern is that I am requesting for the bus to come a little later than 5:30 in the morning to pick the children up. It’s too early and they have to walk to the hilltop for the bus to collect them. It’s not safe,” the mother related.

Apart from Fredericks’ academic performance, she had recently participated in the Regional Mashramani competition where she copped first. She also emerged fifth place in a recently-held Spelling Bee competition which saw the participation of 28 schools.

In her spare time, she reads novels and often requests more books as presents for her birthdays.

Deputy Headmaster for Tapakuma Lake Primary Felton Williams said the school is

satisfied with the result.

“Over the years, Tapakuma’s performance at external exams has been consistent.

We have always been producing passes to Anna Regina Multilateral School, however, Anasie’s performance has created history for the riverain school” Williams said.

The teacher said he always admired the young girl’s potential and commitment towards her studies, stating that it certainly paid off. He also said that class teacher, Arth Austin, also dedicated his efforts to ensure that those attending the school gained high marks.

Regional Education Officer, Nicola Matthews, also extended congratulation to Fredericks and the school for doing well at the examinations. She said that the Region has seen significant improvements in the hinterland schools and as well as in the subject of English Language.

Following his parents’ footsteps KEVIN Jerome Basil Williams, son of Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams and High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Justice Lorraine Williams, has recently graduated with a ‘Juris Doctor’ (JD) degree.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, the 32-year-old pulled back the curtains to his journey in achieving the degree, which is the highest of its kind.

Williams attended the Ottawa Law School in Canada but told the magazine that although his parents were trailblazers in the field, it was not always his intention to study law.

“It was something that came naturally. At first, I think I kind of ran away from it and pursued Sciences but then I realised that my strengths were really in the Arts,” he admitted.

Williams began the three-year programme in the fall of 2015 but prior to that completed his Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Law and Political Science with a Minor in Spanish, receiving the highest honours and also achieved his Masters in International Affairs.

In recapping his journey, Williams said that he experienced both high and low points along the way which, as a Christian, helped to strengthen his reliance and faith in

God. “There were points between each degree that I questioned myself on whether I was doing the right thing or whether this was really cut out for me,” he said. “But at that same time I had to realise that these degrees were not just sprints, they were more marathons and there was a bigger focus of each stage of the journey. So I had to pick myself back up, really relying on my faith in God…I leaned on God for strength and restoration…the highs were definitely better than the lows but at the same time I always had the perspective that this is one step towards a larger picture.”

As Williams prepares to be admitted to practice law in Canada as a fully qualified attorney in 2019, he reserves his favourite picks for future practice as Immigration Law and Family Law but he also has interests in other areas.

The young man revealed that in his spare time he is a tennis enthusiast. “I train for tennis, I train excessively throughout the winter and I have a coach that I train with.

In the summer I play club-level tennis. I try to get out there on the beautiful sunny days that we have.”

Apart from sports, he is also a part of the ministry at the university called Campus Rush which is a community of young Christians, purposed with transforming lives and

Kevin Jerome Basil Williams

encouraging others to be leaders on campus.

“There, I serve in the worship ministry so I am a worshiper. In my spare time I’m also in church and at choir practice or at prayer meetings,” he said.

Williams is also the Director of Governance of the Young Leaders Advisory Council (YLAC) which aims to positively influence young people of racialised communities towards positions of leadership.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

The secret behind the success

III

Aretha Hoban is helping to mould some of the country’s top NGSA performers

By Lisa Hamilton AS THE country celebrates the record-breaking achievement of Naila Rahaman, the 11 year old with a perfect score at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA), behind this accomplishment is one dedicated teacher who played an important role.

This Westfield Preparatory School teacher is none other than, Aretha Hoban, who has been teaching now for 20 years and who has been instrumental in the impressive performance that has been seen from students of the school in the last eight years.

Hoban has gained a track record for assisting students in working their way up the ladder of top performers and, this year, the six students from the Westfield Prep in the country’s top one per cent were all from her class.

Telling her backstory to the Pepperpot Magazine, Hoban said that although she had initially wanted to become a lawyer, she eventually found herself in the teaching profession, one which she views today as a very rewarding career.

And, it’s times like these that

Hoban truly sees the fruits of her labour.

When she heard the news that Westfield Prep had topped the nation, Hoban described her feelings at the time as: “excitement, joy and pride” but added that when she heard, too, that the top student was Naila, she was not too surprised.

“I knew she had it in her. I expected that - but the perfect score: that was icing on the cake,” she said. “[Naila] is very inquisitive, always asking questions…she is self-motivated, she is always reading. If it’s not a storybook, it’s a textbook, it’s a dictionary. She’s always reading. She brings me up to speed on everything. If something happens in CARICOM, if elections take place in one of the islands or other countries she brings it to my attention, that’s just how she is.

She’s always on the ball.”

As a Primary School teacher, one has to have knowledge of all the subjects which range from Mathematics to Science, to Social Studies and English and to be able to teach well.

However, Hoban was previously trained as a Secondary School English Literature teacher at the

Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and, as such, had to adjust her teaching style to meet the needs of younger children.

TEACHING TECHNIQUES Although this was challenging at times, over the years Hoban developed a few key strategies which continue to prove to be the best approaches to nurturing the minds of the future leaders.

Through an incorporation of revision, reward and motivation, Hoban has watched each year as her students excel to even higher and higher heights.

“I’m always early at school.

School starts at 08:30 hrs and by 07:15hrs or 07:30hrs I’m here because there are children who are here early. So, as long as I open my door and we sit…I work with those children and when they come early we revise. I think that is one of my most effective strategies,” she said.

Added to this, Hoban says that a little reward goes a long way, as some children perform better with fun competitive games and rewards.

“We read notes, we do questioning, we play quiz games. I try to

foster a little friendly rivalry among the children; there must be a little competition for them. I would buy little things and give them prizes,” she said, later adding: “I do it because a lot of children don’t revise at home. Sometimes they don’t have the help, nobody is there to help them…and for some of them it just doesn’t stick… that’s why I like to do a lot of revision in the classroom.”

When it comes to children studying, Hoban recommends that parents find a way to develop a balance between motivating their children and allowing them time to relax “You have to give and take.

There should be a balance. It’s not always study, study, study all the time, that kind of frustrates you, especially children. You have to have relaxation time, you have to free up the mind,” she said.

However, she added too that some parents do not support their children enough when it comes to their education.

At the revelation of the results on Thursday, Education Minster Nicolette Henry had lamented the glaring statistics which show that

there is still an imbalance between the ratio of male to female in top performances.

On the topic, Hoban told the Pepperpot Magazine:“I once had a parent who made a comment saying ‘boys will be boys’ when her child wasn’t doing up to par. But, you can’t say that because most of them have the ability, you have to push them,” she encouraged.

Four years ago, a Westfield Prep student brought third in the country while, this year, with much support from parents, of the18 of Hoban’s students, 16 of them are now placed in top schools.

ENCOURAGEMENT She now leaves an encouragement to other teachers for them to be dedicated to their profession and to treat their responsibility with the highest regard which will help them to see the results they desire.

In summarising her call, she said: “Teachers need to give of their best…you have to be willing to work hard. You’re a teacher, you have responsibilities, you chose that job. It is what you chose to do so you have to give of your best.”

A new ‘Earth Warrior’ is crowned LAST week, 22-year old Xamiera Kippins was crowned the 2018 Miss Earth Guyana and the promoters of the pageant, Guyana Premier, explained that it was important that the local pageant was revived in order to highlight Guyana as a green tourism destination.

Prior to 2018, girls were hand-picked for the title but Guyana Premier Marketing Executive Dr. Omesh Balmacoon said that when the opportunity presented itself for a change in this system, the organisation took it.

The company, which is also in the business of promoting Guyanese tourism, thought that the pageant could serve to highlight Guyana’s ‘green’ potential. “We have Miss World and we have Miss Universe but Miss Earth is a pageant with a difference. It promotes the preservation and protection of the environment and we know that living in Guyana, one of our biggest pushes for tourism is the fact that most of what we have to offer is based on the environment like our eco-tourism,” he said.

Although a new queen has been chosen, Balmacoon says that there is still much work to be done.

“Xamiera Kippins, as the winner of Miss Earth Guyana 2018 will be representing Guyana on the international stage.

But, before she does that she will have to ensure that her Beauty for a Cause project is kicked off,” he said.

(Delano Williams photo)

Kippins’ Beauty for a Cause project, Re-BUILD, means Recycle, Build, Upcycle and Invest in Lives with Dreams and is centred on solving the improper disposal of non-biodegradable waste through recycling and upcycling.

The Miss Earth pageant not only promotes the preservation of the earth but calls for action to taken, and initiative which Balmacoon believe Kippins’ project has already begun to emulate.

He also reminded that the proceeds from the pageant will be going to the Giving Hope Foundation which caters for cancer patients and will be formally handed over in a ceremony soon to come.

Added to this, it is not the last Guyanese will see of the pageant as Guyana Premier will continue its work to create more awareness about the cause.

“This is just the first stepping stone. Not many persons in Guyana know of the Miss Earth pageant in Guyana…the production that we did this year and the promotion as well, it would have given some more people a little bit more knowledge about what it is,” he said.

“This is just the first year and next year it’s going to come even bigger and better. We would have already had persons indicating their interest in joining the pageant so Turn to page V ►►►

IV

‘It means the world to me’ Research entrepreneur Anije Lambert (All photos courtesy of Anije Lambert)

By Gibron Rahim IT IS undeniable that there are many hardworking and talented young people in Guyana. There is a sense of pride when we are able to acknowledge these young people for their achievements. Arguably more gratifying is when these individuals are awarded internationally. Anije Lambert recently joined those ranks when she was awarded for her work in the field of market research.

When she travelled to the Insight Innovation Exchange (IIeX) North America conference held in Atlanta, Georgia from June 11 to June 13, Anije (pronounced ‘Ani-jhay’) had no idea that she would be one of this year’s four recipients of the prestigious Ginny Valentine Badge of Courage Award.

The distinguished panel of judges for this year’s award included Jessica Salmon, (Telefonica, UK), Maria Pocovi (Emotion Research Lab, USA), Tony Costella (Heineken International, Netherlands), Fi Bendall (Bendalls Group, Australia), and Otávio Donnabella (System 1, Brazil).

In a sit down at the new office space of the Project Development Consultancy (PDC), which Anije founded, she told the Pepperpot Magazine that the award is usually given to researchers who display courage and bravery. That bravery can take the form of pioneering new techniques for conducting market research. “It’s for those individuals who are really courageous or brave in stepping out,” said Anije. “For me, the reason why I was selected for the award was, they said, for pioneering research in the industry.”

The award has much personal significance for Anije. She has always been interested in the field of research. During her years at the University of Guyana, she recalled that she would find a way to interview people for her assignments, even when it was not required. Hearing the judges’ remarks was a very touching moment for her. She would stay up until 03:00hrs in the morning listening to webinars on market research. “To love something and to realise that it loves you back, and even more so on an international scale, I think it’s the best,” she said. Those who know how much she loves research Anije said would be able to understand her feelings surrounding the win. “It’s like I won a Grammy,” she said emphatically.

The award is a culmination of years of hard work. Anije reflected on not being able to find a job in the field of market research after graduating from the University of Guyana with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. “I remember calling companies and asking them if they wanted assistance, I was going to work for free,” she related. She sought to locate a market research company in Guyana. When that proved fruitless, “I remembered the saying ‘If there isn’t a door, build one’ so I decided that I was going to build one.” The main reason for setting up PDC; however, was job creation as Anije noted.

Anije’s win is also significant for Guyana. She noted that there were approximately 1200 researchers and directors in the field of market research and data analytics from around the globe present at the conference. “A lot of the time people think research is a standalone but actually we’re the foundation for the digital revolution which we’re in,” Anije pointed out. Anije was able to network and exchange ideas with influential people in the industry. Winning she said put

Anije Lambert wins prestigious Ginny Valentine Badge of Courage Award

Guyana on the map.

There tends to be a confusion which still persists when it comes to what exactly research, specifically market research, is. “It’s really just the collection of information and making sense of that so you can make better decisions,” Anije explained. She added that those decisions can affect businesses as well as social and governmental policies. And there is no set way to conduct market research. Indeed, market research today is being conducted in new and innovative ways, not

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018 simply through the use of pen and paper. Anije is inspired by individuals such as Betty Adamou, who has pioneered conducting research through the use of video games. It was Adamou who nominated Anije for the award, without her even knowing, after she heard of her story.

Achievement often does not take place without the help of others. Anije acknowledged her PDC team and their work have had a major role in her success. “I don’t think I would have been here if I didn’t have a good team,” she said. She related that she has some of the smartest data analysts on her team, individuals who are currently working on their doctorates and set to graduate this year. Additionally, “I have some of the most dedicated team members locally who go out into the field and collect information,” she said. There are also those team members who stay at the office and coordinate with other team members in the field. “I couldn’t have done it by myself!” Anije emphasised.

Winning the award is definitely an honour, but it is also a responsibility. Anije noted that, in this modern age, it is data that runs the world. The win has given her a place among people in her field, with all the weight of responsibility and accountability that carries. She stressed the importance of market research using the analogy of winning a game.

“Winning” at business requires that its stakeholders understand their venture’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their competitors, and their goals. Safeguarding the data collected is just as important.

Anije referred to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enacted by the European Union (EU) to protect individuals within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). She noted that, since PDC deals with many international companies, she has been doing her best to ensure that it is GDPR compliant.

Anije has returned from the conference after winning the award with a renewed sense of purpose. “I’m excited and I came back with a vigour because I want to help my country,” she said. “It means the world to me and I just want people to know that if you love something and you put passion behind it and a bit of hard work but most importantly God, you can go to heights that you never imagined.”

Anije onstage at the award ceremony while the judges’ remarks were read

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

V

Rehab Week 2018

Make your exercise a must

By Shirley Thomas

As Guyana celebrates Rehab Week 2018, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Protection while making consorted moves to live the theme, “Increasing Coverage & Enhancing Quality, Care”, are also calling on persons in need of these services to make full use of them.

This was the call made by Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, as she launched Rehab Week 2018 at the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation, West Berbice, on last Monday. The minister also pledged unhindered access to disability and rehabilitative services by persons in need of those services.

Meanwhile, the Palms Rehabilitation Department which falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Social Protection has a great role to play in offering these rehabilitative services.

Giving an insight into the workings of the Palms Rehabilitation Department, the institution’s physiotherapist, Jana Edghill told the Pepperpot Magazine, that the Palms Rehab Department is mainly a Neuro Clinic, and has as its main focus the rehabilitation of the spinal cord, while providing therapy for persons who have had a stroke, traumatic

conditions also affect one’s activities. And so, the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) has a close working collaboration with the Palms Rehab Department.

Attention is also paid to the speech and language component, paying attention to swallowing deficits, or if the patients have difficulty in bringing out what they want to say - especially for those who would have had a stroke or traumatic injury and suffered memory loss, or any cognitive problems.

A BOON FOR EXERCISE As part of its programme for the observance of Rehab Week, the Palms Rehabilitation Department, for the first time, on Wednesday, shifted the Physiotherapy clinic sessions from the building which houses the rehabilitation department to a more or less ‘outdoor facility’ - to the nearby private building which was intended to be a soup kitchen’.

That new facility- massive and having the capacity to accommodate literally hundreds of patients, creates an environment that is extremely user-friendly and was well received by the enthusiastic patients and their family members accompanying them to clinic sessions. Throughout the session, understanding and goodwill prevailed and there was a feel-

Exercising the fine motor muscles

injuries or conditions such as Guillain- Barre Syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

But more than that, the services at the department cover three specialities: Physio Therapy; Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy.

PHYSIOTHERAPY The physiotherapy component of rehabilitation focuses on gross motor movement which addresses getting the patient with stroke to resume walking, climbing the stairs; and perhaps regaining the ability to speak.

The exercises to which they are exposed are very important, Edghill said and should not be taken for granted, since they help the patient to regain strength in the core muscles, as well as to have balance and mobility of their legs and arms. In addition, they help with your fine motor skills such as writing, cooking, being able to button your pants again, and picking up objects.”

As a rule of thumb, when patients come to the department, she said the therapists look at them holistically – for every neurological condition for speech and language, as well as orthopaedics disorder, since orthopaedic

ing of camaraderie among the persons using the service.

Another plus for the new arrangement, Edghill says, is that doing the exercises in this form gives patients the chance to work together. “For some patients, their self-motivation becomes decreased when they have a stroke and so opt to stay home than come out to the clinic. They don’t want to exercise because they are afraid of people looking at them,” she reasoned, but added that there is no need for that. There is no reason for that since the patients at the clinic are all like family; show respect for each other and dwell in togetherness and camaraderie. The department is urging family members to come in as well and to learn what to do at home, so they can be of help to the patients.

Officials at the department said that while the shift to the bigger building (soup kitchen) was intended to be a gesture for the observance of Rehab Week, it ideally suits the purpose of exercising and games for persons on physiotherapy. Hence, the possibility of having it over an extended period would be explored.

Among other activities hosted by the

Physiotherapy staff at the Palms Rehab Clinic engage the patients in a ball game as part of the exercise procedure

Rehabilitation Department over the last week were: • A visit to Lethem by a Rehabilitation Service team from Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) to conduct speech and language therapy. Speech Language Therapists work to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social/cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

• A Patient Appreciation Day at the Bartica Rehabilitation Department hosted by the staff of the facility.

Physiotherapy sessions are held twice weekly – on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning at 8:00 hrs. Occupational Therapy patients are seen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Orthopedic patients are seen on Tuesday afternoons. Brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions are seen on Friday afternoons. New referrals from hospitals are seen and assessed on Friday mornings.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PATIENTS It must be noted that the services provided patients at the Palms Rehabilitation’s Neuro Clinic and other such services are efficient, effective and second to none. For this reason, whenever a patient visits a physician at a hospital and is referred to the Palms for therapy or whatever intervention, that decision should be respected and taken seriously.

And once you have been placed on therapy, it is expected that you act in accordance with what you are told to do. If you are placed on an exercise regimen, follow it systematically. Patients will be given exercises to do at home as well. Do them without fail. Make a note of your clinic dates and honour them.

In that way, you will be quicker on your way to recovery. ◄◄◄ From page III

next year we may have even more contestants on the stage vying for the crown.”

The Miss Earth pageant took place on June 23 at the National Culture Centre and selected its queen from a group of six finalists.

Kippins won in a number of categories including best talent (gold), swimwear (gold), costume (gold), evening gown (gold), eco-friendly (bronze) and Beauty for a Cause.

She was fluent in answering the final question posed to top four delegates: ‘Technology makes life very convenient but it is also being blamed for certain environmental problems. How do you propose to find a

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Karen Cummings, in delivering her remarks at last Monday’s launch of Rehab Week, in East Berbice, emphasised to the gathering that : “Rehab targets and assists those who have experienced a loss in function to regain that maximal function,” adding, “These services provide relief and mobility to many Guyanese.”

SUCCESS RATES Asked about success rates for the patients on therapy, physiotherapist Edghill responded: “The success of our patients depends on how often a patient would come to clinic. There is a big correlation there, because rehabilitation is an ongoing process. Especially with neurological conditions, it is not something that takes two weeks to get fully back into working order.

It is something that has to be repetitive for an extended period of time, and our success rates depend on patients’ attitude to our clinics. We as health professionals (the Rehab team) try to encourage our patients to come to clinic and to do their home programmes when we give them. We have to stress the importance of coming to clinic on their days and getting their exercise; get the repetitive motion; get back into the habit of doing things you normally would have done, or you’re going to forget it.

You have to exercise every day. It is a must and patients’ compliance with the exercise programmes determines our success rates,” Edghill reiterated.

This admonition reinforces the statement made by Dr. Karen Cummings, at last Monday’s launch of Rehab Week that: “Rehab targets and assists those who have experienced a loss in function to regain that maximal function. These services provide relief and mobility to many Guyanese.” balance between technology and earth preservation’ In her response, Kippins began by acknowledging that the use of technology can bring about both negative and positive outcomes.

However, she highlighted that the creation of solar panels, hydropower plants, wind turbines, drip irrigation and more, prove that technology can be used positively to transform the country into a green state.

The First Runner-up for the pageant is 24-year-old Ms. Luann Pellew; the Second runner-up is 25-year-old Ms. Akisha Payne, and the Third Runner-up is Ms. Anita Baker.

VI

‘Visit Guyana’ IN 2012, with the burning desire to spend quality time nurturing her newborn, Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman knew she had to get creative and eliminate the thought of being an employee. Finding a solution to her dilemma was no brain teaser. After all, Stacey had a skill that was relatively uncommon in Guyana during that juncture.

“Christa Marketing Solutions /Visit Guyana started out as a Digital Marketing Services Provider called Social Media Guyana, with our core service being social media management. I was inspired to start it after leaving my job as an E-Marketing Manager

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

A sample of our homeland for the world to see

with a publishing house in Grenada, due to my pregnancy with my first daughter. I had not wanted to reapply for a job and as noone was offering such a service at the time in Guyana and having been doing that in Grenada, I decided to introduce those new media solutions here,” she said.

As the company gained popularity, clients with varying needs started approaching the company. Being a determined businesswoman, Stacey took up the challenge to expand her company’s portfolio. In 2014, the Turn to page VII ►►►

Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page VI

company was officially registered as an Advertising and Marketing Solutions Provider.

“We included other marketing and advertising services as the needs of our clients

grew. Out of this, we founded the very popular Visit Guyana Facebook and Instagram pages and magazines aimed at promoting Guyana,” Stacey explained.

Today, the company offers full online and

Christa Marketing Solutions won the 2017 Tourism Entrepreneur Award for their magazines Visit Guyana and Visit Guyana: Lime, Dine & Unwind

offline marketing and advertising solutions.

These include social media management, ad production and placement, marketing strategy development and implementation, print and publication, tourism advertising and development services.

While the company takes on some small projects from time to time, its main clients include several major brands in different industries such as Tourism & Hospitality, Food & Beverage, shipping and healthcare.

The company also works with other regional marketing brands on various projects. Their clients are kept satisfied owing to priority placed on producing quality work.

Speaking about the team that produces the magic, Stacey said, “Visit Guyana is managed by two persons, but we have serval persons who work with us on the other services we provide, and on our Visit Guyana magazines. These include graphic designers, writers and photographers.”

Christa Marketing Solutions won the 2017 Tourism Entrepreneur Award for their Magazines Visit Guyana and Visit Guyana: Lime, Dine & Unwind. In addition, the company also won the 2014 Tourism Award for Destination Guyana Promotion for their Visit Guyana Facebook page.

Of course, mixing and meddling in these sectors offer many adventures and great

VII moments. “We participated in Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebration…where we launched the Visit Guyana: Lime, Dine and Unwind Magazine, which promoted Guyana’s wonderful culinary offerings. This was done so persons coming for our 50th would know exactly where to Lime, Dine & Unwind,” she said.

And, even though, the Visit Guyana brand is a business venture, it is close to Stacey’s heart for patriotic reasons. “Our dream is to see Destination Guyana become a world-renowned and popular destination of choice for persons seeking eco-tourism adventure,” she said. “Being able to show off Guyana to the world every single day is a joy for us. The most fulfilling part is receiving messages from persons who have not visited for many years or who had never heard of Guyana before, telling us our page inspired them to come see and experience Guyana…

That makes all our hard work worthwhile,” Stacey said.

But, with all the fame and success, the best part about being this successful for Stacey is the ability to work barefoot in her pajamas and be there for my family.

Experiencing the growth of her business while enjoying the different stages of children’s development is a blessing she embraces.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Sonia goes way beyond the runway

By Francis Quamina Farrier I’VE attended quite a number of events at the Guyana Embassy in Washington DC, but the most recent, the Books Launch by Dr. Sonia Noel, will remain as one of my most memorable.

The Bartica-born beauty, Fashion Designer, Author, Inspirational S p e a k e r a n d E n t r epreneur was literally “Beyond the Runway” (The title of her week- Sonia Noel autographing one ly column right here in of the books for a buyer The Pepperpot) on a 13- (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier) city tour of the United States. Yes, you read correctly – 13 cities of the United States; including Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The one at which I was privileged to be present was on Friday, June 22, 2018, when Dr. Sonia Noel held court at the Guyana Embassy in Washington DC., as she launched her four most-recent books in that capital city of the United States of America. Among those in the audience were, Guyana’s Ambassador to the USA and Permanent Representative to the OAS, Dr. Riyad Insanally, who stated how proud he was that the Embassy was hosting such an event. And, all the way from Guyana, Capt. Gerry Gouveia and roving Ambassador Wesley Kirton, were also in attendance. Both gentlemen addressed the packed to over-flowing embassy building, giving their views of Sonia Noel, as a successful Guyanese woman and the positive impact she is making to younger Guyanese women and girls at home and also in the diaspora.

Uncle Francis also addressed the gathering sharing some brief thoughts of a young girl from Bartica (Arawak for ‘Red Earth’), who he was proud to have seen grow up to become a very successful Guyanese woman. He also did a poem especially for her which the audience also enjoyed. The fact that Dr. Sonia Noel was launching not one, two, or even three books at the same time - but in fact four- was suggested by Uncle Francis to be recommended for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. It should be of note that Uncle Francis was also present at the Books launch by Dr. Sonia Noel at the University of Guyana on May 10, 2018.

The books by Sonia Noel are, “Living with Intention - Learning to Love Yourself”, “Women Across Borders”, “Compilation Beyond the Runway” and she shared with her adoring audience how much work was put into the writing and publishing of the books. She also shared with those present, her philosophy of life; that of having the ability to love yourself and living with intent. During her two decades and more of strolling the runway and creating many impressive creations, Dr Sonia Noel has been mentoring younger females who possess a flare for the fashionable as well as for business.

As an inspirational speaker, she has been influencing the younger ones over the years. She describes herself as “Mother, Mentor, Designer and Philanthropist”. She is the mother of two daughters; that and the roles which she continues to play with intention, her current 13-city tour being proof.

In an invited comment to my query after the extremely successful event in Washington, D.C., Sonia responded, “Not enough words to extend my gratitude to everyone who made this memorable event possible. The poem by Uncle Francis was profound and interpreted me well. This motivation mission and tour is a blessing to many and I am even more convinced that God is certainly guiding my path.”

The immediate professional path of Dr. Sonia Noel over the next two weeks, will take her through Tennessee today, New Orleans July 6, Mississippi July 9 and 10, Atlanta July 11, Fort Lauderdale July 13 and finally Miami on July 15.

We have to admit that Dr. Sonia Noel set herself quite a long runway, and so we can add to her personality, “A woman with stamina”.

A section of the audience (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier)

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

IX

The myth of implants I ATTENDED in the USA the annual session of the American Dental Association of which I am a member. One of my updating courses was implantology which basically involves metal tooth replacements that are anchored to the bone of the dental ridge.

They bring us a step closer to tooth replacements that look natural and feel secure.

The evolution of implants has steadily progressed since the late 1950s, when titanium was introduced as a biocompatible metal that would eliminate biological rejection.

Titanium has been a significant factor in accelerating the practice of implantology.

Today about 90 per cent of general dentists suggest implants to carefully selected patients. Implants should be considered an option when a patient cannot gain comfort

Implants have three components: the anchor (which may be surgically placed in the bone), a post (which is attached to the anchor), and the artificial tooth (which attaches to the post).

There are several types of implants on the market, but at this time I only consider two to be safe. They are the endosteal and the subperiosteal.

Endosteal implants are placed directly into the jawbone. This implant cannot be done unless the patient has adequate bone support. First, an anchor is placed surgically into the jaw. For best results, the dentist must do minimal damage to the tissue. Anchors are available in several shapes and are sometimes coated with a material that enables the bone to adhere to it. This process of attachment is

in wearing a conventional, removable full or partial denture because of physiological problems (sore spots or a poor ridge) and/or psychological (gag) problems, or as an option to placing a bridge to replace a single tooth because so much healthy tooth structure has to be removed in order to accommodate the crowns. But for this author, Guyanese must first know that a single tooth implant generally costs nearly half a million Guyana dollars and the process takes almost a year.

Implants can provide support for one or more teeth so a crown, a fixed bridge, or an overdenture can be placed in the mouth.

Although a single dentist may perform the entire implant process (as I do, since my training course taught me such), frequently two or more dentists are involved as a team.

Before you are accepted as an implant candidate, your dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination and a complete medical and dental history. As a standard procedure, sometimes if necessary a dentist will refer the patient to either an oral/maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist for surgical placement of the implants. Then the primary dentist makes and fits the replacement teeth.

Implantology is not one of the eight dental specialities, and the training and experience of those who perform implants vary, it is a complex procedure that requires specific knowledge and training.

called osteointegration (the bone integrates or bonds with the implant material). After the anchor(s) is/are submerged it is left undisturbed for three to six months to allow it to firmly adhere to the underlying bone. Then a second surgical procedure is usually needed to connect the post. This type of implant is often used to secure a fixed bridge.

A subperiosteal implant consists of a metal frame that rests upon the jawbone just below the gum tissue, instead of being placed directly into the jawbone. The metal frame is made by using impressions of the surgically exposed jawbone. After the frame is constructed, the gum tissue is reopened and the frame is fitted onto the jawbone. The implant adheres to the jaw as the gum tissue heals.

The posts of the implant protrude through the gum. This type of implant is often used to secure an overdenture (a tooth replacement for an entire arch that is permanently secured to the implants).

Despite their high success rate some implants are physiologically rejected, must be removed. The primary reasons for failures include peri-implantitis (bony infections), placing the crowns on the anchors prematurely, and insufficient or improper alignment, persistent discomfort, and cosmetic problems. I was taught that patients with a history of periodontal (gum) disease may be a greater risk for peri-implantitis because of a

higher frequency of periodontal bacterial and increased susceptibility to these organisms.

I believe that dental implants are not for everyone and I would stress that all implant candidates must be carefully screened. Candidates must be in good health, have healthy bone and gingival to support the implant, be psychologically

suitable, and be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

While the procedure usually takes about nine to twelve months to complete, implants can last 10 years or longer. Never assume anything is permanent. You will lose your implant if you do not take care of it.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM SOME two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance addressed the officers of the various departments of Government who are responsible for making the departmental budgets which will eventually be part of the National Budget which is presented to Parliament for its approval. Each of these departmental budgets will be discussed in detail by the Ministry of Finance so as to eliminate all imperfections.

In his address, the minister outlined the

In other words, he was indicating that the imperfections in the Education Sector could not be attributed to the lack of money. He was referring particularly to the primary and main policies and requirements which budsecondary education. get officers will have to take into account.

The minister was reflecting the sentiments When he came to the Education Sector, he of the majority of parents who feel that the mentioned that 17.2 per cent of budgetary school system- both primary and secondary allocations was spent on that sector and queswas shortchanging their children. This feeling tioned whether the Government and people of is exacerbated when the conditions and results Guyana were receiving value for the money of the private schools are compared with the spent. He rhetorically asked “Why, with the Government-run schools and when the chilincreasing allocations to Education, [do] less dren who attend Government schools who than 50 per cent of our children pass Maths receive private lessons do better than their and English at the CXC Examinations?” class mates. Most parents cannot afford the cost of such private lessons.

It is generally felt that children attending Government schools have their abilities stultified except they receive help outside the school system. Many people now tend to hark back at the pre-Independence education system and claim that what obtained then was better than the present.

When Independence came, local politicians and educational personnel assumed full responsibility for the education system and in a short time effectuated three fundamental reforms which could not be faulted. The first reform was the extension of the education system to be all-inclusive. This was very evident in the extension of secondary education where all children could now have post-primary education, not necessarily of the traditional grammar school type: the second was to exorcise all elitism, especially, class from the system; and the third was that technical education would be expanded.

These reforms were in consonance with the modern education theory except that the planners did not factor in the quality of education. And the quality of education was largely dependent upon the quality of teachers. It was the absence of emphasis on the quality of education which was the Achilles heel of the system. By comparing the pre and post-Independence syllabuses and teaching methods, we may begin to discern the ways of raising the quality of the education now provided.

In the primary schools, English grammar, spelling and reading were vigorously taught and in Arithmetic, the four rules, as well as, the addition and multiplication tables were drilled into the children. Children were encouraged to read the Fairy Tales, Greek Mythology and children’s books and were encouraged to use the school libraries and the public library facilities. Children climaxed

By Abdool A. Aziz THE CALL OF THE NORTH BEFORE the advent of World War II, our society was a simple one. People led contented lives and enjoyed our ‘paradise’ then the Yankees brought their rollicking culture and sparked widespread imaginations and dreams of a sparkling life out there. The Diaspora was born. Some folks found their ‘Dream Country’. Some were disappointed. Life for them was more eking out a living than comfort and joy.

Here is one of many cases of the Diaspora in reverse.

He was the happiest traveller on that day of departure from our land. He got down on his knees on the tarmac and said: “Good bye

their primary school career by doing the Primary School Certificate examination, the results of which were gazetted and accepted by employers.

The opportunities for all primary school children to receive a secondary education were limited, but those children who attended secondary school always did well in English and Math because of their primary school foundation.

There were only three Government secondary schools but they were well endowed, especially with their staff, who almost all, held degrees from English universities. The other tier of secondary schools was the private ones which tended to use Queen’s College as their model, but they concentrated on their pupils passing the English secondary schools examinations and had less stress on extra-curricular activity.

Private lessons in both primary and secondary schools never existed and the pupils performed better than they do today. Games, especially cricket and football and to some extent hockey for girls were played. Clubs such as debating and drama existed in almost all secondary schools. Children were encouraged to read the classical novels and a foreign language, usually French or Spanish was obligatory.

At this point we have reached the prescribed limit of this offering and so, we will briefly summarise the main lessons from the past which may better our present system: Firstly, after-school private lessons should be strictly forbidden; the responsibility of teachers to teach their charges during school hours would be evident. Secondly, the authorities as well as the parents should be more cognisant of the performance of the teachers, as much as they are concerned with the performance of children. Thirdly, if basic English grammar and Arithmetic had not been properly taught at the primary level, then all secondary schools should have remedial classes in these subjects. Fourthly, outdoor games or membership of the Cadet Corps should be compulsory. Fifthly, clubs such as debating, drama and science should be encouraged. Sixthly, form teachers should be in contact with parents of each child in their classes, especially if a child is absent for two days. Seventhly, the computer should be used as a teaching and learning tool.

Eightly, reading, especially of the classics and current affairs should be encouraged.

Guyana, ah leaving for the good life.”

All went well with the trip to JFK. He marvelled at the high rises traffic and other architectural icons. A spectacular panoramic view! It was almost surreal. Then he headed to Liberty Avenue.

“Well Uncle, here is where I live,” said the nephew as he ushered him downstairs.

“Ah gat to go down dat hole?” asked the uncle in shock.

“Yes, I live down there, it’s called the basement.”

“My God, the step so steep and narrow.”

He went down sideways. Downstairs he looked around in shock “Dis place smell bad, and there is no fresh air. Man, I feel stifled.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

XI

Eating Disorders: Bulimia

LAST week I began talking about eating disorders which are serious and often overlooked mental illnesses. I spoke about the most dangerous – Anorexia Nervosa- and this week I would like to move on to Bulimia, another serious one.

An individual with Bulimia will have periods of binging which is excessive overeating for either short or long periods of time. Someone with Bulimia feels as though they cannot control their eating. Even worse, they eat for many reasons, hunger being just one. Particularly, their eating habits are aligned with their emotions. We call this emotional eating which means they turn to food when they are upset or sad in any way. It means that food is their coping mechanism just like alcohol or marijuana is to a drug user.

It is a difficult illness to understand as while there is intense overeating, there is also the intense fears of being overweight.

This fear paradoxically makes the individual eat more.

The overeater knows that guilt and shame come after a binge but it feels like an uncontrollable compulsion; a vicious cycle.

The most dangerous thing about Bulimia is that it is the hardest eating disorder to identify. This is because most people with Bulimia are of average weight as bulimics use extreme methods of attempting to remove the food from the body such as purging (purposely throwing up), laxatives, weight loss pills, illegal drugs or extreme and unsafe exercise.

It is important for you all to know that throwing up or using laxatives is not an effective way to lose weight- which is why bulimics are typically average weight. This is because calorie absorption happens the moment food enters the mouth so any extreme way of removing it from the body won’t even take away 50 per cent of the calories consumed.

Bulimia causes a wide range of physical and mental health issues. The excessive eating, purging or exercise can place a massive amount of stress on both the mind and body. The daily vomiting leads to staining of the teeth, erosion or the enamel of teeth and even extreme tooth decay. It can also lead to inflammation and infection of the throat. The issue is, if you often

throw up after eating, your body gets used to this activity and it becomes a normal bodily response to food. Which means you may not even want to throw up but you will.

Someone with Bulimia is often dehydrated and diagnosed with ulcers or low blood pressure. In extreme cases, the dangerous activity can cause strain on our heart which can result in heart palpitations, heart arrhythmia, heart attacks and even death.

It can also result in difficulty becoming pregnant, miscarriages or infertility in general. The stomach lining can also be ripped in severe cases which result in numerous stomach and intestinal issues.

Bulimia is caused by (as well as causes additional) stress and major issues with self-esteem and self-confidence. It leads to withdrawal from friends and family but this isolation fuels the disorder.

Bulimia is also highly correlated with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and addiction and can lead to issues such as self-harm or suicidal behaviours.

Bulimia is typically developed during adolescence and is more common among females. Anyone can develop it but one is more likely to, if it already runs in their family. The blatant social pressures of being thin, especially for certain professions and hobbies are also triggers for this mental illness. For example, one is more likely to develop an eating disorder is they are models, dancers or swimmers etc.

There are some typical signs and symptoms that can confirm if you or a loved one has bulimia. Bulimics are often preoccupied with food and their weight- often thinking about both throughout the day. They are uncomfortable in their own bodies and make a lot of negative comments about their appearance.

Those with this illness also like to eat alone or hide their eating and food in general as they are typically ashamed when they eat. They are also visibly sad or guilty after eating. Some are afraid to eat in general as there is an underlying fear that they will not be able to stop.

They usually make efforts to get rid of the food almost di-

rectly after consuming it.

Some decide to take illegal drugs that tend to change our eating patterns. For example, if someone feels like binging, they may take a drug like marijuana which opens up the appetite.

However, after a week-long binge, some may take a stimulant drug like cocaine which decreases the appetite.

Like, with anything else, the first step is admitting that you have this problem. When you have, feel comfortable reaching out to those close to you or a professional. Extreme cases of Bulimia usually require inpatient treatment care. Medications such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety may be prescribed due to the high correlation of eating disorders and other mental illnesses. It is also beneficial to do counselling sessions at the same time in order to find the root of the problem, triggers that invoke the eating as well as develop healthier ways of coping.

A food journal is typically a good idea for those with bulimia. Writing down everything you have eaten, at what time, what portion along with what event occurred or what mood developed will help to identify triggers and initial reasons for binging.

This is the first step- you can’t overcome something until you identify its pattern.

It’s the first step to developing a healthy relationship with food- one that is not too excessive or too restrictive- find a nice balance that works for you. Remember to also balance your exercise.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you suffer from this disorder.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 08:00 hrs- 12:00hrs Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

Department of Public Information XII

INFOHUB RECAP - June 21 - 27 Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Cumberland, Cane Grove go online

PAHO team begin mercury investigation at GGMC

RECAP June 21st - 27th

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CCJ rules against third term

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upheld the presidential term limits enshrined in the Guyana Constitution meaning that former President Bharrat Jagdeo will be ineligible for another term.

President of the court, Sir Dennis Byron read the decision of the court at the Trinidad-based final court on Tuesday, June 26. The CCJ decision overturns the Guyana Court of Appeal decision which had upheld a High Court decision by former Chief Justice Ian Chang. In a majority 6-1 ruling, Guyana’s court of last resort overturned the ruling by the local Supreme and Appeal Court that a former president can run for more than two terms. 

Five CPL matches set for Guyana

Indigenous communities to receive firearms

by July

Residents of Indigenous communities in Region Seven will receive their firearms and licenses at the end of July, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has said. In April of this year, a team headed by Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and included Minister Allicock was set to deliver license and firearms to several communities in Region Seven. However, the inclement weather had forced a postponement. Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) Minister Allicock said the postponement might have been a blessing in disguise. He said the postponement has also given Ministry an opportunity to get access to more firearms for the residents and for them to “gather up their money.” 

Residents of Cumberland, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and Cane Grove, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) are the newest beneficiaries of the E-Government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes declared the two facilities open, bringing the total number of hubs to 123. During the opening at Cumberland, Minister Hughes called on teachers, students and parents to take advantage of the learning opportunities available to them through the internet. She disclosed that all the textbooks needed for students in the public schools are now available on the laptops and encouraged that they “spread the word” to other residents. Regardless of age, the Public Telecommunications Minister said every citizen can learn how to use the internet to develop themselves. 

Local Authorities Bill passed

A team from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is currently assessing the mercury clean-up efforts at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Brickdam complex.

The team, which is comprised of two industrial hygienists, two physicians and a mining engineer, is conducting tests to determine if any traces of mercury remain at the complex. The team arrived and met with the Ministers of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott. PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow was also present. Minister Trotman explained that the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department within the Ministry of Social Protection had cleaned and certified the area is free of mercury. However, a third-party opinion is needed to approve the certification and provide guidance on the way forward, Minister Trotman explained. 

US $17.8M for renewable energy, street lights

Minister Jordan files $200M lawsuit against PPP’s Juan Edghill Five Caribbean Premier League (CPL) games have been confirmed for the Providence National Stadium starting August 9th. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and Guyana Amazon Warriors Operation Manager, Omar Khan inked a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, June 21, making it official and allaying the worries of many cricket fans. The matches will be played on August 9, 11 and 12 and on September 8 and 9. Tickets are expected to go on sale in the first week in July. The Amazon Warriors will play their first match at Providence on August 9 against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots; St. Lucia Stars on August 11; Barbados Tridents on August 12; Jamaica Tallawahs on September 8 and defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders on September 9. The Amazon Warriors camp will be from August 2 to 7” 

Opposition Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill will face the full force of the law as Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, through his attorney, filed a $200Million lawsuit against him for libel, false charges and malicious prosecution. The lawsuit, which was filed by Attorney Roysdale Forde on the Finance Minister’s behalf resulted from the private criminal charges that Edghill had filed in the Magistrates’ Court against Minister Jordan, claiming Misconduct in Public Office. Edghill’s case was discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), it was related to Government’s funding of the D’ Urban Park project. Minister Jordan, in his suit, contends that Edghill’s intent was to embarrass, humiliate and cause him to suffer public hatred since the charge was widely reported in the local newspapers, radio, electronic media, social media and was accessible and circulated on the World Wide Web. 

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said the amendments to Local Authorities Bill satisfactorily addresses concerns in relation to local authority’s elections. The National Assembly passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2018 and voted down amendments made by the opposition to the same Bill. Wrapping up the debates on the Bill, Minister Bulkan noted the amendments will see local democracy being applied meaningfully. 

Much needed street lights will soon be installed on several streets across Guyana following the signing of US $17.8Million grants between the governments of Guyana and Japan.

The grants signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Conference Room. These will be utilised for the introduction of renewable energy and the improvement of the power system in Georgetown and surrounding areas by enhancing substation and distribution equipment, as well as the establishment of a Photo Voltaic system and an energy management system at the CARICOM Secretariat. Under Japan’s Non-Project Grant US$1,330 was provided for the procurement of 10,865 gamma LED lamps. Over 7000 LED lamps will be installed along the major roads and highways and the remaining 2000 in the communities across Guyana. The consignment of 4,716 of these lamps was handed over to today and will be installed throughout the ten administrative regions shortly. 

INFOHUB RECAP - June 21 - 27

Department of Public Information

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Skills training for 100 retrenched sugar workers

One hundred retrenched sugar workers and young people from Berbice are the inaugural batch of the Industry Skills Training Enhancement Programme (IN-STEP). Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, officially launched the IN-STEP programme at the GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Cooperation) Training Centre, Port Mourant. “We know that many of you are afraid many of you are worried. We are here as a government … to help you. In a few short months, oil is going to be produced in this country. This county as the sun rises in the east is not going to be left behind. Guyana will rise from Berbice,” Minister Trotman said. Partner ministries in the programme, Ministries of Agriculture and Education, commended the successful partnership to develop the country’s human capital. 

Region Six synthetic track for December completion

Athletics in East Berbice-Corentyne will be further boosted in the near future as the construction of the state-of-the-art synthetic track in New Amsterdam, is moving to finalisation by year end. During a recent town hall meeting in New Amsterdam, Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson disclosed, “We are preparing a facility that can host competitors of Olympic calibre and these are competitors who have to meet IAAF requirement; therefore, the facility that they will be operating on must meet the IAAF requirements.” Aside from providing athletes with a top-class facility, the Assistant Director said that it will also create jobs for the residents of the region. Outlined in the contract for the laying of the synthetic track, is a stipulation that will ensure 12 persons from the region are employed. The Burnham Park in New Amsterdam was the site selected for the construction of the eight-lane 400-meter track. The first two phases of the project carried out by German company BSW Regupol, have been completed. The final two stages will commence shortly. 

UNICEF lauds Guyana’s approach to sexual offences

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) country representative, Sylvie Fouet has given kudos to Guyana’s handling of the justice system, particularly the Sexual Offences Act and Court. Speaking to the media, Fouet said the justice system in Guyana is being used as a model by other countries. “Guyana should be very proud of its way of handling the sexual offences court and the sexual offences Act,” she said. According to Fouet, while there are a few challenges here, there are many positives, including a thriving justice system. 

External debt “well below” Intl’ threshold - Min. Jordan Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan has clarified that Guyana’s external debt currently stands below 50 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with the international threshold requirement set at 60 percent of GDP. He clarified further that external debt should be viewed in relative terms and not absolute, noting that as the economy continues to grow it can take on more debt. Speaking to the media the Finance Minister dismissed and quashed claims that government has borrowed some $50Billion from the Central Bank. Minister Jordan said for years, under the previous government, the Consolidated Fund was in overdraft. “The last government had to abandon the first Consolidated Fund, which is still in overdraft, created a new Consolidated Fund and all that went into overdraft.” He further explained that the Coalition Administration inherited a Consolidated Fund that was in overdraft which resulted from the Gold Board’s operation, which was significantly dependent on the Fund. 

Cabinet mulls reducing impact of high fuel prices Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan says Cabinet has discussed the increased fuel prices and is considering options carefully to avoid future negative effects on the country’s balance of payments. In addition, he noted the opposition calls for a previously used tax formula to be employed to ease the burden of increased fuel prices on citizens. However, he said while the previous administration was able to forego taxes to maintain fuel prices in the past, the conditions were different. “This is not only about whether government will still get the same amount of revenues that they had budgeted. It also has that external side… the side that has to do with finding the foreign currency to buy the same quantity of gas that you were consuming when the prices were low,” Minister Jordan said. 

XIII

Minister Trotman visits Troy Resources mine

Slain fishermen remembered

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman visited Australian gold mining company Troy Resources to observe its operations and discuss the company’s production targets. The visit to the site at Karouni in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) came as the government moves to redouble its efforts to support the mining sector and on the heels of an inter-ministerial consultation held with the industry. Minister Trotman said the government has been engaging the mining sector at all levels as it is seeking higher gold output: “What we want in government is higher productions, but we want to know that is being done in a safe and sustainable manner. Coming to this company and having visited the Aurora gold mines recently, we look for those international standards and best practices and we’ve seen them here.”

Reports from the company suggested that there are some challenges with the current weather pattern which is affecting the retrieving of the ore.

There are also complaints about illegal mining, and of loggers destroying the roads. 

A moment of silence was observed at the eighty-ninth sitting of the National Assembly, in solidarity for the victims of the deadly piracy attacks which took place in late April in Surinamese waters. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan told the National Assembly that the National Day of Mourning for the slain fishermen, coincides with the United Nations Day of Seafarers. He said the proclamation by President David Granger is a solemn memorial to the fishermen who lost their lives in a dreadful manner.

The names of those murdered and the 16 missing and feared dead were stated for the record. President David Granger issued a proclamation that Monday, June 25 be observed as a National Day of Mourning for the fishermen who lost their lives in the dreaded attacks. The Golden Arrowhead was flown at half-staff to show solidarity with the families of those killed in the gruesome acts and to pay due respect to the memory of the victims and their grieving families. During the incident, five boats with approximately 20 crew members were attacked. Nine persons survived the brutal ordeal, four bodies were recovered, while twelve remain missing and are feared dead. 

Water receding in Region Nine

Brian Allicock, Chairman of the Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) has reported that flood waters in the region has begun to recede, except for the village of Karasabai, located in the South Pakaraimas. In an invited comment, Allicock said that he received reports, from several sources during the day, indicating that the water has receded in the areas which were previously affected, including Aishalton and Lethem. The Regional Chairman noted that Karasabai remains affected since the flooding is caused not only by the heavy rainfalls or the ‘wet’ season, but the water running off from the mountains and from neighbouring Brazil. The Ireng River, he said, remains high and as such, the region has responded to the request made by the deputy Toshao to the RDC for a boat and engine to transport residents, particularly schoolchildren and emergency cases. 

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Two new smart health centres for Region Five

Residents of High Dam and Cotton Tree villages both in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) were on Wednesday, June 20 given full access to improved healthcare services with the opening of two newly-built “smart” health centers in the heart of their communities. The two health centres which were built at a cost of over $50M replaced buildings which had become aged and badly in need of repairs. The new centres are equipped with modern amenities including improved disability access, designated dressing rooms, more beds, cleaner and more adequate space, a designated antenatal room, a pharmacy and better waiting areas. 

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Never too late to farm Winifred Innis is still using her ‘green thumbs’ at 82

Winifred Innis and her late husband, Edward

ALTHOUGH the 10-acre farmlands were owned by her late husband, Edward Innis, who passed away two years ago, it was Winifred Innis, who provided daily care to the various crops they planted.

The duo, who was married for 66 years, had made the hinterland community of Hosororo their home. That lifelong union produced eight children, who became the centre of their universe. Providing for their children with a loving home environment, access to education and food were their main priorities.

“My husband had a full-time job that ensured we had a steady income but it wasn’t enough because our family is big…so we planted crops to earn extra money and get food to eat…we never bought any fruits or vegetables…we ate what we grew… you can’t have land and go buy bora that is shameful,” the 82-year-old farmer said.

Innis had three major roles in the home: she was a wife, mother and farmer. After seeing everyone off to work and school and completing household chores, Innis would visit her farm daily. There she provided care for each crop. And, there were many crops such as citrus, nutmegs, ground provision and vegetables.

“I believe crops need care and attention to grow, that is how we treat our farm. Back in the days when my husband was around, he would spend his Saturdays and holidays working on the farm and I would be by his side. He had a big say in what we planted

and how the lands were allocated. All I did was to tend to our crops and made sure they grew well,” Innis recounted.

Now that her husband is no longer around, her three adult sons have a more integral role to play in the farming operations.

Innis still maintains a prominent role in the family business, especially during the dry season, when navigating down the hill is not a challenge. Her involvement gives her a sense of independence.

Innis said, “I like being able to plant and earn my own money. My children have their own lives. They have their own families. As long as I have health and strength I will plant and reap my crops. I would pick my fruits and sell to Hosororo Primary School for its School Feeding Programme. Whenever, I get fruits I would supply that market.”

And even though her children argue with her from time to time to relax, Innis wishes to do more. She wants to plant turmeric and ginger, which have become two main crops in the district thanks the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute. However, owing to personal reasons she cannot diversify her farm in that direction.

Nonetheless, she is still involved in the spice industry through the production of nutmegs. And, while the nutmeg trees are sometimes used by the institute for planting materials, Innis sees her husband’s efforts in them. After all, those trees were planted by her husband’s hands decades ago.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

PAY ATTENTION TO PUBLIC NOTICES!

Do you have an interest in major projects taking place in your community? Do you want to be able to share your thoughts and opinions about a developmental project?

If so, then you definitely need to look out for the public notices published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC NOTICES People and communities play an important role in environmental management, this is why the EPA publishes public notices to alert them of upcoming projects. These public notices not only allow you to become aware of developmental projects but also, provide you with the opportunity to have a say.

The Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana, requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish notices on different categories of projects to ensure that there is maximum public involvement. The comments and concerns raised through public participation can provide valuable information on impacts, solutions and alternatives which can be used to make wise decisions on proposed developments in our Country. Also, the EPA is mandated to take public feedback into consideration when making decisions on whether or not Environmental Authorisation will be granted for a particular project.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLISHED? Public Notices are published in the newspapers to inform citizens: ● Whether or not a project is exempted from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment. ● Also when an EIA is completed and available for public review.

Additionally, recognising the great reach of social media, the EPA also uploads Public Notices on its Facebook and Instagram Pages – so add us to be in the know of what developments are being proposed in your neck of the woods.

GET INVOLVED! How can you participate? Here is a list of ways that you can be part of the EIA process: ● Appeal: After the EPA publishes its decision on whether or not an EIA is needed

for a project, you have 30 days to lodge an appeal with the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). ● Project Summary: Before any EIA commences, the Agency publishes a notice and makes available a project summary to members of the public. ● Written submissions: Members of the public have 28 days from the date of publication to make written submissions to the EPA, setting out those questions and matters they require to be answered or considered in the EIA. ● Scoping: The Agency may also conduct sector and public scoping meetings at its discretion during the 28-day public notice period for EIA required projects. You can share your thoughts and concerns at these meetings. ● Comment on the EIA: After the EIA is completed, the Agency publishes another notice in the newspaper and citizens have 60 days to submit comments for consideration by the EPA. .

Since the purpose of public notices is to give opportunity for the public to participate in the decision-making process on environmental management, it is your responsibility to make use of these opportunities. To ensure that you do not miss out on these opportunities make it a practice to: ● Read the daily newspapers, follow the EPA on social media, check our website regularly and look out for public notices. ● Give your feedback on a developmental project whenever you are able to attend scoping meetings and let your voice be heard.

Remember, your participation will ensure that your ideas help to shape the development of Guyana!

UPCOMING PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS The following is a schedule of public sensitisation meetings for the presentation of the main findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Liza Phase 2 development project.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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folklore

XVI

BETWEEN A ROCK AN A HARD PLACE FRED Gentle was a thief. He stole anything once given the opportunity to. It was because of him that everyone in the rural village of Rocky Cove began locking windows and doors. But even locked houses posed little problems for him. Fred could open a padlock with a hairpin. He could scale (skim

up) the side of a house to reach windows on the second floor.

Everyone referred to him as the ‘Thiefman’ because no one knew who the thief was. He was so skillful that he could clean out a house of prized possessions while the occupants slept.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

By Neil Primus

Then his luck ran out. One night he entered Ramsingh’s home without realising that there was a dog living inside. He was bitten in many places and beaten badly by irate residents.

After that, he received many beatings and was chased away from any place he tried to gain employment. Even when he was not the perpetrator, the village still blamed him. Fred got a regular thrashing.

He soon realised that things were becoming dangerous and one of these days, they might beat him to death. He stopped stealing from his home village. Fred decided to spread his wings. The neighbouring villages became his target. He was merciless and raided many homes and small businesses.

The small villages of Greenfield and Parkway didn’t know what hit them. People made reports to the police and the officers made their investigations but to no avail.

Things were going smoothly when Fred encountered a crisis.

After benefitting from the many hits on folks in Greenfield he made the decision to raid old Mr Daniel’s Grocery Store. Now, Daniels was rich. He had two cars, lots of jewellery and loads of expensive electronic devices.

Fred had avoided breaking into his place because the talk in the village was that he was a dangerous man. The first time the thief-man saw Daniels, he nearly died laughing. There was no way this man could be considered a threat to him. The man was short, old and walked with a pronounced limp. He decided to move on Daniels the next night.

The next night he left home dressed in black. That was his working colour. He rode to Greenfield, parked his cycle and walked the short distance to Daniels’ shop. With little difficulty, he breached the locks on the door and stealthily entered the premises.

Fred moved with skill, purpose and stealth.

He gathered up all the plunder he could carry and headed for his place of entry. That was when his dilemma began.

As soon as he approached the door, terror fell on him. He received a merciless beating like none he had ever gotten before. Fred felt as though he was being hit on every muscle, bone and sinew.

In desperation, he struck out at his unseen attacker. This only provoked the situation even more. The beating increased and it was only when he dropped the booty that the beating stopped. When he realised this, he hastily abandoned all the loot and ran for his life. His troubles did not end there. His silent assailant followed him to ensure that he kept going. The pain was too much to endure so Fred took a desperate and unusual step. He ran to the police station to seek refuge.

It was just after 01:00hrs when he arrived.

The gate was locked but that was no problem for Fred. He opened the old padlock and ran into the dark station.

“Help! Oh Gawd! Help!”

Sergeant Smartt was in the middle of a dream. He was surrounded by a group of beautiful women who were all fighting to get his attention. This was his heaven. Here he wanted to stay forever. Then his wonderful dream world crumbled and was replaced by a shrieking maniac. The officer jumped from the cot and struck his foot painfully against the wall “Ow!” he bellowed in pain and fury.

He charged towards the front desk and saw a trembling, bleeding Fred. All the cops knew him. He had been arrested several times but had to be released due to lack of evidence.

“Wat de hell happen to you?”

“Jumbie beat me bad!”

“What!”

Jumbie was a red-letter word for the angry sergeant.

His experience taught him that some matters the police should never get involved in. This was at the top of the list. He looked the criminal over carefully and trembled at what he saw.

“Why de hell you come to dis station?” he yelled.

Fred’s desperation knew no bounds.

“Ah break into a house and Jumbie attack me. It beat me from there to dis station.”

When the policeman heard this his large tummy quivered in dread.

“Constable Johnson and Marks!”

“Y-Yes Sir!” Both men stumbled out of their beds and went to the angry officer who was by now emitting steamy froth from the corners of his mouth with his eyes spitting venom. This gave him the look of an irate rhinoceros.

“Get dis crass out of me station and mek sure he don’t come back!”

“But sergeant you ga fo lock me up! Ah jus break into a house!” pleaded the thief.

“Out!” The two junior ranks dragged the protesting man from the station and threw him out on his bum. By the time he hit the pavement, his saga continued.

Crack!

Pow! Ply! Blam!

With screams of pain, the man headed off for parts unknown.

With shrieks of terror, the two horrified cops headed for the safety of the station. This time they locked the door and the windows too. By the time they got back to their room, the Sergeant was snoring loudly.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page X

People walk on your heads?”

“Put down your bag Uncle, you’ll get to like it. I will take you to Cousin Ed. He lives in an apartment.”

Back up the stairs, he bolted out the front door.

“Oh boy, fresh air! That is not life down there.”

They headed to Manhattan.

Into an elevator they went. It was crowded. No one spoke, they were all like dummies. His shoulder bag touched a white lady. She gave him a nasty look. Finally, they headed to room 706 of the building.

“So this is the apartment. Man so small, why so dark? Pull those blinds and open the windows,” the man said.

‘No! No! Bugs will come in,” said cousin Ed. The guest slumped on the sofa. In no time he fell asleep. When he got up he found a note: “Sorry Cuz, I’m at work. Check the fridge for food. Use the microwave. See you later.”

In the fridge was some rice, potatoes, macaroni, pizza and some KFC. “Oh my God, Junk food!”

He went out the balcony. It was cold, he hurried back in. How beautiful the weather was back home. He looked across the complex, like bees out of a beehive they come and go. On the streets, they scurry like ants.

It was a concrete jungle indeed. He raised his hand to the next door neighbour, but he did not even get back a smile. And then there was the cacophony of noise from vehicles and construction. This city does not sleep, it was so congested. In Guyana, there was so much space, so much fresh air and friendly folks living good with each other back home.

One day in his first trip to the public transit he asked, “Why that white guy got up and stood, as I sat next to him? Why do they look at me as though I am from another planet?”

His cousin said, “Over here, it is dog eat dog. Every man from himself, discrimination is everywhere. They do not like themselves, much less others. They feel superior so that’s life here. It hurts but it’s a white man’s land.”

“What you got there in your hand?” He asked later on.

“A portable heater to bring extra heat,” cousin Ed said.

“And in the other box?”

“An air freshener.”

“Boy, it’s not winter yet and all those gadgets?”

“Wait and see” “Ah see enough. This is an artificial country. Robots live here. Ah going back to we ‘paradise’,” he said.

“Can’t blame you cuz,” Cousin Ed said. “I plan to go back soon. This cold weather kills! It’s the ‘Big Apple’ but it is not so sweet.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Promoting healthy families SRHR Adventures conducts outreach

By M Margaret Burke LEADING a Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) team on a recent trip to the Pakuri Village, better known as St. Cuthbert’s Mission, was Dr. Faqueeda Watson, who said that the trip was a very rewarding one.

The purpose of the visit, which took place on June 23, was primarily to spread the message of good health and hygiene man-

agement, especially as it related to matters of family planning and reproductive health; also planned as part of the day’s activities was a craft session for the community, which was facilitated by Leona DaCosta-Cumberbatch.

“We work as hard as we play,” said Dr. Watson who reported that although not as many members of the community turned out for the sessions, she was still quite pleased with the response, as well as the level of

interaction from those who turned up.

SNAKING THEIR WAY IN Turning in the road leading to St. Cuthbert’s from the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, the team started another long journey ‘snaking’ their way into the mission because of the state of the road.

The team eventually reached into the community, made a brief stop to cement administrative matters and then headed to meet Toshao Beverley Clenkian, as well as members of the community.

FAMILY PLANNING Subsequently, there was a brief meeting with the Toshao and other officials, after which the SRHR members were led to the Pakuri Benab for the start of the various meetings with members of the community.

The team explained to the gathering that SRHR Adventures is an initiative that seeks to raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights with a special focus on family planning/ contraception in Guyana.

Since the establishment of the group, they have facilitated several awareness sessions on family planning, adolescent pregnancy, abortion and other SRHR topics.

Family planning, it was indicated, is everybody’s business, and especially for couples who need to make decisions Turn to page XXVII ►►►

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XIX

Bridging the educational divide in Guyana IN GUYANA, it is no secret that the quality of education and the access to education are not the same in every region. It is also no secret that many-especially the policymakers- are cognisant of this and are trying to level the playing field.

The education divide is real. That the top students almost always come from the same regions, areas and schools is no coincidence.

And this divide may be attributed to intrinsic factors like geography or culture, but it is not one that cannot be bridged or worked around.

Ever since I heard President Granger say, “... the five largest regions in Guyana happen to be the five poorest..,” I felt something stir inside of me. I was never able to look at these regions the same.

These past two weeks, I travelled across seven of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions aiming to see what education was like in other parts of my country. I used the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), primarily, as a proxy for the quality of education in Guyana.

During my recent trip to the Moruca subregion, in Region One, I was confronted by the myriad disparities that differentiate

education in the hinterland region from the education I am accustomed to in the coastal regions.

In Moruca, pupils travel great distances-sometimes even from differing communities separated by rivers- just to get to the Santa Rosa Primary school. The UNICEF Situation Analysis (2016) report for Guyana advanced that other existing disparities include the lack of qualified teachers, poor infrastructure and financial barriers.

I also visited Blackbush Polder, in East Berbice recently and spent three days at the school in the area. Incredibly, the nursery, primary and secondary schools were all in the same compound suggesting that the children almost never experience a change of environment because of this.

But more incredibly, as I learned from speaking to a social worker in the area, is that the children and young adults in this area are more inclined to go into the agricultural sector at an earlier age, before completing their secondary education. You see, this is because many families don’t understand the merits of advanced education as opposed to the instant gratification garnered from joining the workforce.

It boils down to the ingrained culture of each society, and what is deemed more valuable. Fortunately, with robust campaigning and concerted actions, the merits of education are being understood better in both communities.

Attributing to this is the improvement seen in the hinterland regions at this year’s NGSA. These improvements were however as a result of governmental intervention aiming to improve the quality of education.

Additionally, access to education has also been boosted with President Granger’s Five Bs Initiative. In Moruca, parents explained that the initiative was able to provide tremendous relief with transportation costs.

And the school feeding programme- which offers hot, healthy meals everyday- has been another measure that has helped to reduce the cost of sending children to school and promoting education.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme has also been able to provide relief to children who have been able to score positions in coastal institutions. Perhaps without this, many students would not have a place to stay or means to get by ‘in town’ and would be left back in their communities.

And finally, with the advent of technology in the classrooms, hinterland regions have not been left out. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has played a strong role in helping children to understand concepts better. In Moruca, teachers and parents have been using their mobile data connections so far but earlier this year, it was announced that more than 200 hinterland communities will be outfitted with ICT hubs in the next five years.

‘Morucans’ welcomed this initiative when I visited and affirmed that this is one specific factor that will go a far way in improving education in the region. In Berbice, there is better internet connectivity already and is used in the schools. More focus will be placed on integrating ICT in schools.

Just as the benefits of education are long-term, improvements to education are garnered from long-term approaches of strengthening communities, boosting resources and bettering them incrementally.

They say you give credit where it's due; while the work must continue, I am happy to say that I have seen for myself that the education divide is lessening.

Better must come.

A lover of art and fashion S O M E TIMES we forget that art is more than just a drawing on a piece of paper and is instead expressed differently through music, dance, drama and even makeup.

Like any other artistic skill, doing makeup requires skill and practice. Twenty-one-yearold, Decarla Hodge has graduated from practising her skill of makeup artistry on herself and probably friends and family, to becoming a professional who has used her skill to start

a career.

The professional makeup artist said doing makeup is her passion and she will continue to find ways of becoming better at what she does.

“I am a lover of art and fashion; it is a great combination. Ever since growing up, I’d always be the one with a book and pencil or my mom’s eyeshadow palette, playing dress up”, said Hodge.

It was evident that she favoured colours and beauty from a young age but she found her love for the art about three years ago when she became a professional.

“I realised I loved doing this when I collaborated with a photographer, Keno George, on our first project called ‘Melanin and Honey’ which was a success”, said the makeup

artist, adding that while preparing for that project, she challenged herself to do her best because failure or shortfalls were not an option.

The project and challenge made her realise how much she loved doing makeup and more so she even got a chance to showcase her creative side to the public.

Everything about the experience was new and exciting to her, mostly because the feedback and recognition were “unbelievable”.

That project even got her one step closer to her aspiration which is to inspire people, especially the new and young makeup artists who idolise her.

“I just want to be a better person and a good example to the people out there; I also want to remind them to never give up and

don’t let negativity get to any part of them”, she said, noting that it is important to strive for what you want but always remember that prayers are also important.

She believes that once someone wants to achieve something they just need to try hard because it is already there with their name written on it, they just have to go get it and be humble in the process.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

XXI

School life in Moruca

Children in the Kumaka community of Moruca, in Region One, rush over the ‘Moruca Bridge’ to get home after school

ACROSS Guyana, children in many remote communities face several challenges trying to get to school; challenges which often lead to many children dropping out before completing school at different levels. Moruca, Region One, is one such area where these challenges exist, but that does not stop the children in the photos below from persevering to access their education. As the country celebrates the stellar results of this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, we take time to also appreciate the circumstances under which some of these children achieve these results.

These children departed the Santa Rosa Primary school to get home after school. The journey home involves maneuvering around a flooded road

Students travel by boat every day from the riverine communities in Moruca, just to get to school

This mother and her two daughters trekked all the way to the Bemichi airstrip to their humble abode. One of her daughters attends the nursery school in Moruca

The long walk home! This girl walked from the Santa Rosa Primary and was still walking towards Mora, a few miles away (Photos by Vishani Ragobeer)

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

FILES E S A C COURT

XXIII

Full Court affirms magistrate’s novel ruling

Exhibited jurisdiction to order a rehearing IN 1973, the Guyana Full Court of the Supreme Court affirmed a magistrate’s decision for granting an application to a respondent, for a rehearing of a building land possession case, on the ground that the magistrate had a discretionary jurisdiction to do so.

Through a misunderstanding the Appellants, Bhagmatie & Seepersaud, who had a possession land case against Mamas had the matter heard and determined in their favour due to the absence in court of the Respondent Mamas, on the day in question.

Mamas, through her counsel appealed to the Full Court, which affirmed the Order of the Magistrate after taking into account that the respondent might have been genuinely absent in court through a misunderstanding.

The facts of the case disclosed that due to a misunderstanding, neither the respondent nor her legal adviser attended court when an application for possession of certain building land was heard and determined in favour of the appellants.

The respondent thereupon filed an application for a rehearing supported by an affidavit, and the magistrate made an order granting the application.

An appeal was made to the Full Court against the magistrate’s order by the appellants.

The Full Court, constituted by Justice Keith Massiah and Justice Maurice Churaman, held that, affirming the order, that the magistrate had a discretionary jurisdiction to grant a rehearing, and in the circumstances of the case, it was proper to make the order.

The appeal was dismissed. Order of magistrate was affirmed.

Attorney-at-law Mr. E.A. Gunraj appeared for the appellants while Mr. Bernard De Santos, S.C. represented the respondent.

Delivering the judgment of the court, Justice Churaman said, “This appeal raises the interesting point as to whether and in what circumstances an application for the re-hearing of a cause or matter in the magistrate’s court can or ought to be granted.

“The appeal under review arose out of the grant of an application for a re-hearing of a claim for possession of building land. After innumerable adjournments, at each of which it would appear the respondent was in attendance, the possession claim was finally determined in favour of the appellants on January 7, 1972, the respondent on that day being in default of appearance. Both the respondent and her legal adviser were genuinely under the impression that the case had been set down for hearing on January 10, 1972, and on attending the magistrate’s court on that date, the respondent discovered to her surprise that the cause had been determined in her absence three days earlier; she forthwith informed her legal adviser, and on January 25, 1972, the respondent filed an application in the prescribed form for a rehearing supported by an affidavit.

“It is of primary significance that the learned magistrate found on the hearing of the application for re-hearing that the respondent and her legal adviser genuinely believed that the cause had been set down for hearing on January 10, 1972 and not January 7, 1972.

“Of equal significance is the fact that the respondent asserted a defence which, if accepted, would have afforded a formidable resistance to the appellants’ claim for possession; and of yet further importance is the fact that the appellants (landlords) have in no way whatsoever altered their position in consequence of the determination of the possession claim, nor would they suffer any prejudice which cannot be reduced by costs.

“It was against this background of circumstances, that the learned magistrate granted a rehearing of the cause from which order the appellants now appeal to this court.

“Counsel for respondent raised before us a preliminary point as to the jurisdiction of the Full Court on the basis of the appellants ‘non-compliance with ss 4 and 5 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Appeals) Ordinance Chapter 17 [G.] We decided to defer the ruling on this preliminary point and to hear arguments on the merits. In view of the decision we have reached, it is necessary to deal with the preliminary objection, and we

express no view on it.

The main contention advanced before us, as indeed also before the learned magistrate, is the question of the jurisdiction of the learned magistrate to hear and determine the application for re-hearing. The submission in other words questions the jurisdiction of the learned magistrate to hear and determine the .application for re-hearing inasmuch as the application though filed and served on the second named appellant within 28 days

and was not served on the first-named appellant until May 28, 1972, i.e.

By George Barclay some four months after the date of filing.

“It is here convenient to observe that the evidence suggests Turn to page XXVI ►►►

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ IF someone asked me to name my favourite film, there are several that would immediately come to mind. I would think of “Farewell My Concubine,” “The Piano,” “Mother India,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Les Diaboliques,” and even “Mulan.” Yet, the one that I always place a notch above all of the others is Alfonso Cuaron’s “Y Tu Mama Tambien.”

The truth about my relationship with this film begins with

the fact that I lied about having seen “Y Tu Mama Tambien” for a very long time before I actually got the chance to see it. It remains a film that every film buff should see and with foreign-language titles being difficult to track down in Guyana in the recent past, I saw it much later than a lot of other people. I lied because this movie occupies a very special place in world cinema. It is iconic for many justifiable reasons, and

it will remain so for many more years to come.

However, once I saw, I knew immediately that it would always hold a special place in my heart.

One of the reasons why “Y Tu Mama Tambien” is such a remarkable film has to do with its simplicity.

It focuses on two teenage friends, Julio (Gabriel Garcia Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna), and a beautiful, older woman named Poster for Y Tu Mama Tambien, (2001) 20th Century Fox. (Image source: Luisa (Maribel Wikipedia) Verdu) who go on a road trip together to find a hidden beach named ‘Heaven’s Mouth.’ The story focuses on the relationships with these three people as they meander through Mexico, confronting each other, their pasts, and even their fates. The road trip film is a trope that has been explored in movies for a very long time – in various ways – and Cuaron’s movie presents to us the most simple and most fascinating of them all. It is important to remember that Cuaron is the man who would later go on to direct “Gravity” and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” – films backed by big budgets and laden with visual effects and flair. In contrast, “Y Tu Mama Tambien” with its small scale, simple plot, and starring actors who were relatively unknown at the time, confirms that Cuaron is as much a master of emotion and character-creation as he is a master at imparting grand visual effects and the kind of wonder that makes us go wide-eyed in his big budget movies. It is a reminder that a movie does not need to be opulent in order to be successful, entertaining, and everlasting.

Gael Garcia Bernal, as the poor and somewhat volatile, Julio, is now probably one of the best known actors from Latin America, and his performance in “Y Tu Mama Tambien” is indeed one that foresaw the continued success in acting that awaited him. His Julio is wild and unbridled, funny and a bit of a jerk, bold and yet, somehow, unsure, brimming with the kind of uncertainty and naiveté that can be found in all teenagers at some point during adolescence. Diego Luna (who would later star in “Milk” and “Rogue One”), and is good friends with Bernal in real life, served as Julio’s wealthy, preppy best friend. His performance is earnest and strong, bursting with infectious sweetness, even as he comes across as being a bit of an annoying rich kid. The ways in which these two characters both contrasted and complemented each other throughout the film managed to impart the sort of idealism regarding who can be friends with whom that seems able to exist only in the youth of our lives, in a time before the real world of adulthood catches up with us and forces social norms and expectations and realities upon us. Their friendship, like the almost-mythic place they seek, ‘Heaven’s Mouth’, is too pure and too good to exist beyond the most temporary of phases, where one can waft on the waves for a while, but then the night comes and morning after, and it is time to be awake to go back home, to move on.

Transitions seem to be an important theme in the film.

The movie is as much as about adolescence as it is about transitioning into adulthood. Julio and Tenoch engage with many aspects of the world of adults, albeit in a peripheral way, as seen when they go to the protest happening in the city, confront decisions about what career path to choose, Turn to page XXXII ►►►

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XXVI ◄◄◄ From page XXIII

that this delay was due not to any tardiness on the part of the respondent in posting same, but to the facility or rather the lack of it, in effecting delivery. This much debated point of ‘service within 28 days’ arises from the wording of rr.4 and 5 of Pt. 20, of the Summary Jurisdiction (Civil Procedure) Rules, Chapter 12 [G.] (Sub.Leg.) which read thus: ‘An application under section 32 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Petty Debt) Ordinance for a new hearing may be made at the same sitting of the court at which the action was heard, if both parties be present , or not more than 28 clear days after the date of the ter-

mination of the action of which a new heaing is desired.

‘When it is intended to make an application contemplated in rules 1, 3 and 4 of this part of these rules at a subsequent sitting of the court, the applicant shall deliver to the clerk a notice of application in accordance with Form 52 in the Appendix and serve on the opposite party a copy of such notice containing the date of hearing of the application.’

Continuing, Justice Churaman said “It is fair to observe at this juncture that the parties herein litigated this matter in the court below as one properly arising under Section 32 (supra), and it is equally evident that the learned magistrate determined the contest on

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the footing that Section 32 was the applicable and appropriate section. But was it the appropriate section covering the circumstances of the matter under review? We are of the clear view that it was not, as this section embraces a number of situations which may give rise to a party seeking a re-hearing.

“Among those situations are fraud, improper conduct on the part of the successful party, or if the unsuccessful party was prevented by ‘causes beyond his control from placing his case fully before the court’.

According to the judge, “This last situation appears to have lured the respondent as a relevant and pertinent ground upon which the application ought to have been predicated.

“We take the view that a mistaken belief as to the date of hearing of the cause does not fall within the scope of ‘prevented by causes beyond his control’, as these words seemingly relate to the will of the party having neither the ability nor the competence of any control

over the causes envisaged in the section; additionally this section envisages a party putting forward his case at least up to a certain point, but not “fully” in the sense that “much more” could have been put forward.

Concluding his judgment, Churaman said “Appellate jurisdiction is always statutory; there is in the statute no restriction upon the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal , and, while the appellate court, in the exercise of its appellate power, is no doubt entirely justified in saying that normally it will not interfere with the exercise of a judge’s discretion except on grounds of law, yet if it sees that on other grounds the decision will result in injustice being done, it has both the power and the duty to remedy it.”

Justice Churaman declared, “We adopt Lord Atkin’s view so admirably expressed.

He added, the appeal is accordingly dismissed, the order of the magistrate affirmed with costs to the respondent.

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about the desired number of children they would like to have, as well as the spacing and timing of their births.

Members of the community were urged to make themselves available for the services of family planning and birth control, which are viewed as integral to how families determine the number and timing of their children. It was said that the importance of these services is generally seen as a human right issue; as a population and environmental concern; as a personal and public health issue; and is also connected to social and economic development within the society.

HYGIENE MANAGEMENT Dr. Watson spoke about the menstrual cycle and the types of materials that were used by women in taking care of themselves, explaining that it is a natural biological process of a woman’s life in which the survival and propagation of our species depend on it. Women, she said, have an estimated 450 periods during their lifetime.

Disposable pads were also distributed to some of the ladies within the Pakuri community. The team stated that the very first disposable pads were thought up by nurses, looking for new methods to stop excessive bleeding, particularly on the battlefield. They were made from wood pulp bandages and they were very absorbent and cheap enough to throw away afterwards.

Many of the ladies in attendance at the family planning sessions were given reusable sanitary napkins that consisted of a shield that has “wings” which is secured to the underwear with a clip piece, and two liners that can be placed within the shield based on the menstrual flow. This sanitary napkin which usually comes within a kit can last for four years once cared for correctly i.e. wash it after every use with blue soap and water then placed to be dried in the sun.

Within the kit, there is a calendar to monitor the female menstrual cycle as well.

The ladies were also told that there are many benefits from using the reusable sanitary napkin such as it saves money; that it does not consist of harmful chemicals and it is environmentally friendly, fun and empowering because they are bursting with colour, patterns and unique designs.

The craft sessions were also very interactive. Members of SRHR Adventures were very pleased with the response they received from members of the community who turned up to take part in the sessions. “We were expecting many more people from the community to turn up, but we understand that because of the weather and so on more did not come,” one member stated, adding that the team was still happy with the response they received and that the evidence is there to show some of the items that were produced, from which the others may also learn. The sessions were held for both children and adults.

The team returned to Georgetown, saying that they are much encouraged and ready to go again with further plans to educate other communities in Guyana. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

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My first Book Fair and Literary Festival

LAST Sunday in Queens, New York, I participated in my first Book Fair and Literary Festival. My 13-city tour was scheduled for Washington then Philadelphia. When I received an invite from Dr. Narine to participate, I had to reconsider because I had a feeling this was going to be a great event for authors. I immediately asked my two sisters from the Guild (with his permission) who live not too far away, if they wanted to join me- best-selling authors Claudia Vidal and Monica Reid. I also asked my friend, Dr. Jackie Phillips but only Claudia was available to attend.

The Washington event ended on a high and lots of people requested to meet with me in the days to follow, but I could

not because of my commitment to the Book Fair. I even had to turn down a hot date and he was fine lol. I try hard to keep my word once I have committed to something. The event was held at the Starlight Pavilion and other authors/writers there included: Elizabeth Jaikaran (Trauma); Mohanie Stockwell (Where is Home?); Seopaul Singh (Anatomy of Race Politics, Economics and Violence against Diaspora Indians); Dr. Basdeo Mangru (Benevolent Neutrality); Derrick Arjune (Mama, I want to Come Home); Anna Coltman (The Mute’s Masquerade); Petra Lewis (The Sons and Daughters of Ham, Book 1); Compton Hartley Liverpool & Khalilah Megan Campbell (Foundation of the Guyana Defence Force); Alyssa D’Amico

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion (Short Circuit: An Epileptic Journey); Dr. Lear Matthews (English-Speaking Caribbean Migrants); Dr. Kennard Ramphal (Dilchand joins the Army); Dr. Dwarka Ramphal (Let us Talk); Roy Brumell (On Wordsworth McAndrew); Padmashri Pratap Pawar (My journey in Dance); Claudia Vidal (Hues of Change); E.R. Brathwaite (To Sir, With Love) read By Veena Bedasie; Churaumanie Bissundyal (From Ganges To Demerary) read By Sashi Singh; Edgar Mittelholzer (Corentyne Thunder) read By Tanuja Ramphul; Dr. Harold Drayton (An Accidental Life) read By Amorita Davidson; Sir Wilson Harris (Palace Of The Peacocks) read By Anjali Mohan; Latchman Rajrup (Goodbye Forever, Vicky); Barbara Verasami (Imprints in Life’s Journeys); Robert Mahase (Pilgrimage to my Village); Roy Paul (Raiders of the Rupununi); Vidya Sircar Ramdhan (A Traveler’s Tale) read by Renuka Surujnarain; Jacqueline Smartt (Navigators Travel to Guyana); Rooplall Monar (Backdam People); Dr. Dhanpaul Narine (America in Crisis); Sherene Noble (Intertwined); Khalleel Mohamed (Learn to Read Series; Gokarran Sukhdeo (Collection of Poems) read by Jayden Jackson; Dr. Gary Girdhari (If Only the Gods were Awake); Joshua Ledra (The Truth About the Crisis in Iraq) read by Sara Ledra; Dr. Robert Ramraj (Mental and Dictation; Ameena Gafoor (Aftermath of Empire) read by Rusat Mohan Ramgopal and Frankie Ramadar.

The literary works of some great people that are no longer with us including Edgar Mittelholzar were featured. It was like music to my ears listening to some of the excerpt readings. It was a joy to hear some of the Guyanese creole expressions I have not heard in ages. I also learned a bit of history. In my presentation, I mentioned that I am new to the authors/writers fraternity and that I am on a Motivational Mission and Book Tour. Many persons were asking if I said 13 by mistake and was taken aback when I said it was real.

Then, the next question often asked was, “How did you do four books in four months”. My reply is usually, “I sent a message to my brain that I know I can and asked God for his guidance to make it possible.”

I asked Dr. Narine to share his thoughts with us and this was his comment: “The Queens Book Fair and Literary Festival was an outstanding success. It brought together a talented group of authors from all over the world to Richmond Hill in Queens, New York. The idea was to celebrate literature and the spoken word. The Queens community was privileged to listen to over 35 writers and to have signed copies of their works. One of the highlights of the programme was the involvement of our youths in reading and writing. They recited poetry, read from the classics and paid tribute to the late stalwarts. There were also musical performances from the young people that thrilled the audience. The Book Fair attracted a big crowd and additional seating had to be found.

This first event was an unqualified success. It was of a high standard and inclusive. It was also refreshing to know that the community appreciated something that was different from the usual weekend fare in Richmond Hill. The organisers are busy planning next year’s event.”

I am certainly looking forward to next year. Are you thinking about writing a book?

Send us a message to our email beyondtherunway1@ gmail.com as we continue to celebrate this beautiful Journey called life.

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come to terms with the facades of the adults surrounding them, and even in their engagement with the poverty that they find on the way to the paradise that is ‘Heaven’s Mouth.’

Youth transitioning to adults, the city transitioning into the countryside, the roads giving way to the sea, the boys making love to their respective youthful girlfriends and then later on with the older Luisa; there are many important transitions to observe and analyse, and the character of Luisa functions as the catalyst for many of the decisions that bring these transitions into the light. Her role is one that anchors the story, as it is Luisa, herself going through a great change as she chooses to leave her husband, who sets everything into motion.

Maribel Verdu is fiercely sensual as Luisa (fun fact: I once rounded a corner in Cartagena, Colombia, during a film festival there and almost crashed into the actress and her entourage) and her performance is one that is so good that hers is the character, despite sleeping with both boys and leaving her husband, that most of the audience will identify with. Her acting is achingly beautiful, the kind of acting that is at once restrained and pulsing with heated emotion, threatening to explode were it not for the tight control that Verdu exerts in her craft.

Luisa’s contrast with the boys comes across when we realise that, unlike them, she did not have much of an adolescence to enjoy.

She was not offered the same opportunities to explore and to find herself in the way the Julio and Tenoch have managed to. Her role, at the end of the film, after she calms the storm brewing between the boys, when they all drink and dance together on the beach (in one of the most sensual scenes to ever appear in a movie), when all three of them make love together, seems to be one that was meant to urge Julio and Tenoch to embrace their youth and their lives, to explore and to live freely in a way she never did. However, in the end, this lesson is clearly lost on the teenagers, who, horrified by the fact that they slept together, ultimately refuse to confront the truth of who are by stamping out the friendship that Cuaron used throughout the film to light up the hearts and minds of the audience who watched Julio and Tenoch and their adventures in a way that was designed to remind us all of the follies and beauty and joys of youth.

An extremely humorous film that edges the dark ever so slightly in the end, particularly when we learn of Luisa’s final transition and her final reminder to the boys to live freely and truthfully, “Y Tu Mama Tambien” emphasises the fleeting nature of time and the notion of enjoying life to the fullest.

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Bollywood news

SRK on completing 26 years in Bollywood: I have learnt a lot on this rollercoaster ride of love, hate and sadness Thanking his fans, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who will be seen next in Aanand L Rai's Zero, said that his journey is incomplete without them.

Shah Rukh Khan, who recently completed 26 long years in Bollywood, on Friday was seen talking about his journey in a heartfelt video. The star’s wife Gauri Khan took to

Twitter to share the video with a caption that read, “26 years of precious memories… @ iamsrk.”

In the over-six-minute video, SRK spoke of many aspects of his life. From the birth of Aryan to AbRam, from the journey of Deewana to Zero, each milestone was spoken of lovingly and with his usual wit and charm. The actor also remembered his late mentor and friend Yash Chopra and mentioned in passing about the infamous Wankhade stadium inci-

dent. The Zero star also spoke of his small screen performances as he fondly remembered the popular serial Fauji, wherein he had essayed the role of Lt. Abhimanyu Rai. Shah Rukh Khan also shared the aforementioned video on his Twitter handle with a post that read, “This journey is incomplete without u all.

Here’s telling all of u who made this possible how happy u make me feel.”

Also read | Shah Rukh Khan completes 26 years in Bollywood: A look back at Deewana, the movie that started it all “It has been 26 years, and I have learnt a lot on this rollercoaster ride of love, hate, and yeah, sometimes, sadness,” Shah Rukh is seen saying at the beginning of the video after making a grand entry in his usual SRK style. The actor then proceeds to discuss and shed light on the major areas of his life and all that had happened during the 26 years.

At the work front, Shah Rukh will soon be seen in Aanand L Rai’s movie Zero, where he will be seen sharing screen space with the likes of Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. Zero will hit the screens on December 21, 2018.

Sanju: Rishi Kapoor ‘thanks’ Salman, Akshay, Ajay and Saif for promoting Ranbir’s film Ranbir's father and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor on Friday took to Twitter to thank Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshay Kumar for supporting Sanju, with his unique sense of humour.

The Sanjay Dutt biopic Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor, hit the screens today. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film also stars Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal and Manisha Koirala among others in pivotal roles. Ranbir’s father and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor on Friday took to Twitter to thank Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshay Kumar for supporting Sanju, with his unique sense of humour.

Kapoor recently posted a photo featuring

Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar, where they can be seen holding a poster of Sanjay Dutt, which says, “Sanju, We’re With You.” The photo of the stars has been taken from the time when Dutt was accused in the 1993 Bombay blast case. The actor shared the photo with a caption that read, “Thank you! These people have been promoting the film ever since!”

Chronicle Pepperpot July 1, 2018

Floating robot Cimon sent to International Space Station

An experimental robot with an animated cartoon face has been sent to the International Space Station (ISS) on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Dubbed Cimon (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion), the device is intended as an "an AI-based assistant for astronauts".

Cimon weighs 5kg but in zero gravity it will float move around thanks to 14 internal fans.

It is an attempt to find out whether robots and astronauts can collaborate.

To this end, Cimon is equipped with microphones and cameras that help it recognise Alexander Gerst, the German astronaut with whom it will work.

An "offline" button has been designed for Cimon, which allows Gerst to avoid having audio streamed to servers on Earth during moments of privacy.

The rocket whisking the bot on its way to Earth orbit took off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 05:42 Eastern time (10:42 BST).

It was part of a cargo shipment weighing nearly 2.7 tonnes that includes food and water.

The cargo is contained in a Dragon capsule that will detach from the Falcon 9 and dock with the ISS on Monday.

“Right now our main mission is to support the astronauts with their daily tasks to save time, because time is the most valuable and most expensive thing on the ISS,” IBM engineer Matthias Biniok told Reuters.

Cimon, which speaks English, was developed by Airbus and IBM for the German national space agency, DLR. It will be able to give astronauts instructions to help them carry out scientific experiments and it will be able to respond to verbal questions.

“The use of artificial intelligence in assisting space flight is an obviously good use of the technology,” said AI expert Noel Sharkey at the University of Sheffield.

But he pointed out that Cimon would have to prove its worth.

“It is only in the experimental stages at present and if it is not useful, no space agency will want to waste incredible valuable space with it.”

On 13 December, Cimon is scheduled to return to Earth.

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Entertainment

Drake on course to smash streaming records with 'Scorpion' Canadian rapper Drake, the world’s best-selling artist of 2016, looked on course to set records tumbling again on Friday with his soul-baring new album “Scorpion,” in which he reveals he is a father.

Spotify said the album was streaming at an average rate of 10 million times an hour on Friday, while Apple Music said “Scorpion” was the No. 1 streamed album in 92 countries.

On the 25-track double album, Drake, 31, confirms long-standing rumors that he has

fathered a son, but does not name the mother.

“Single father, I hate when I hear it,” he raps on the final track “March 14.”

The album also features collaborations with Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla Sign, and posthumous vocals by Michael Jackson.

“Scorpion” follows Drake’s best-selling 2016 album “Views” and his 2017 release “More Life,” which set a record across all music streaming services of 385 million streams in its first week of release.

GUYANESE SALARA – RED COCONUT ROLL

Ingredients *Dough 1 tbsp dry yeast ¼ cup warm water ¼ cup sugar 1 cup milk, warmed ¼ cup shortening 1 tsp salt 3 cups flour 1 egg, beaten 2 tbsp butter, melted 1 egg white *Filling 1 cup shredded flaked coconut, (if grating your own, increase sugar to 1/2 cup from 1/4 cup) 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 tbsp water 5 drops of red food coloring (or until desired red color is achieved) Instructions Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Mix and let stand.

Warm the milk then set aside. Combine the salt and sugar with the flour, cut shortening into the flour mixture then add the yeast, and egg. Pour the milk

in and knead to make a moderately stiff dough. Shape into a ball.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with aluminum foil; let rise to double in size for about 1 hour. Combine all the filling ingredients and set aside.

Punch down the dough and divide in half. Roll each half into an 12 inch x 8 inch rectangle, and brush with melted butter.

Sprinkle half of the filling mixture on each rectangle of dough. Roll up lengthwise and seal the edges.

Cover and let rise until double in size.

Brush the rolls with beaten egg white.

Bake at 350°F for 20 - 30 minutes. Until the tops are brown Cut into slices and serve. Yields 2 rolls.